The trucks — to be built by electric bus manufacturer Motiv Power Systems as part of a five-year, $13 million contract — each use 10 battery packs to power their motors and hydraulic accessories. Motiv says its electric trucks will reduce Chicago's garbage truck-related costs from 80 cents per mile to 10 cents per mile.

Like any test, we'll have to wait a while to see if the trucks live up to manufacturer claims. But if they do what Motiv says they'll do, they could cut Chicago's trash-hauling costs in half.